Man Who Talked at Bus Terminal Commits Molestation... 'Sex Offender Released Two Months Ago'

On the 17th, ahead of the major national holiday Chuseok holiday, at the Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A man in his 50s, who was released from prison less than two months ago after serving time for a sex crime, has been sentenced to prison again for molesting a woman he met and spoke with for the first time at a express bus terminal.

According to the legal community on the 22nd, the Criminal Division 29 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Changhyung) recently sentenced A (51, male), who was indicted on charges including forcible molestation, to 1 year and 6 months in prison. He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of a sexual violence treatment program, restricted from employment at child and youth institutions for 7 years, and placed under probation for 5 years. However, the request for an electronic monitoring device (electronic anklet) attachment order was dismissed.

Earlier, A was indicted for forcibly molesting a woman in her 20s, B, on May 5th at the waiting room and restaurant of the express bus terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

At the time, A is accused of introducing himself as a "famous former gangster controlling the (provincial) area" while talking with B, whom he met by chance in the waiting room, and making physical contact. A took B’s bag and led her to a nearby restaurant to order food, and when B tried to leave, he chased after her saying, "Eat the leftover food," and brought her back. The molestation continued in the restaurant, and B reportedly asked the restaurant owner to call the police.

On the first day of the trial, A appeared in court and claimed, "I did not forcibly molest her," and requested a citizen trial, but eventually admitted to the charges during the ongoing trial.

The court emphasized, "The defendant committed this crime less than two months after being sentenced to prison for multiple sexual violence crimes," and "The victim stated that she suffered considerable mental shock and sexual discomfort from the defendant, whom she met and spoke with for the first time by chance."

However, the court also stated, "Considering that the defendant admitted to the crime and showed remorse upon reaching this court, and that the degree of molestation in this case was relatively not severe, the sentence was determined comprehensively."

On the 17th, ahead of the major national holiday Chuseok, travelers and visitors are waiting for buses in the waiting room of the Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@